Treatment of oil-contaminated solids

ABSTRACT

The disclosure pertains to systems and methods for removing hydrocarbon contaminants from a contaminated solid using an environmentally benign extractant and an oleophilic absorber, where the environmentally benign extractant and the oleophilic absorber are separate components.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/039,732, filed Mar. 3, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/310,041 filed Mar. 3, 2010. The entireteachings of the above-referenced application are incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

This application relates generally to remediation of oil-contaminatedsolids.

BACKGROUND

A number of solid particulate materials can become contaminated withoily materials, requiring remediation. Solids obtained from welldrilling operations, produced solids from oil production, contaminatedsoils, or other solid agents (inorganic and organic) can be exposed tooil, whether deliberately or inadvertently. Cleaning the solid materialsand providing an environmentally-friendly disposal system are challengesin the industry.

As an example, cuttings produced in during well-drilling can becontaminated with oil, requiring remediation. Cuttings are shavings ofearth-based solids formed by the action of the drill within theformation. Cuttings can include materials such as clay, shale, silt,ash, fragmented rock, minerals, soil, dirt, mud, sand, gravel, and thelike.

In well drilling, a drilling fluid, also called “drilling mud,” iscirculated through a pipe to lubricate the drill bit during drilling.There are two general categories of drilling mud: water-based mud, andoil-based mud. Formulations for oil-based muds comprise synthetic oilsor other synthetic lubricating fluids, as well as refined andtraditional oils. An oil-based drilling fluid typically contains oil ora synthetic hydrocarbon as the continuous phase, and may further containwater dispersed in the oil phase by emulsification, forming awater-in-oil or “invert” emulsion.

Oil or synthetic fluid-based muds are useful for drilling in formationssuch as swelling or sloughing shales, salt, gypsum, anhydrite or otherevaporate formations, hydrogen sulfide-containing formations, and theymay be useful when drilling under hot conditions (e.g., wheretemperatures within the borehole approach or exceed the boiling point ofwater). For deep-sea drilling (e.g., for wells at water depth greaterthan about 1500 feet deep), for example, oil-based drilling muds arepreferred because of the extreme depth that these wells reach, withextreme temperature and pressure conditions. It is understood thattemperatures in subterranean formations generally rise about 1 degree C.per hundred feet of depth, so that higher temperatures will beencountered as wells are drilled deeper. Oil based muds generally allowfaster penetration rates during drilling, allowing a faster wellcompletion. This benefit is important in off-shore drilling, where theoperating expenses of a drilling platform can be measured in thehundreds of thousands of dollars per day. Oil based muds allowhorizontal or high angle drilling with less risk of structural collapseof the wellbore. Oil based drilling muds typically comprise anoil-continuous phase, and may also contain as a discontinuous phasevarious aqueous solutions (such as sodium, potassium or calcium brines),along with other additives (e.g., rheology modifiers like oleophilicclays, weighting agents like barium sulfate, fluid loss control agentsand the like).

When oil-based muds are used for drilling, the cuttings formed duringthe drilling process are coated with an oily residue derived from thedrilling mud itself. The cuttings are carried back to the surface by areturn flow of drilling mud. Upon their return to the surface, thecuttings are typically cleaned to remove the drilling mud that coatsthem. Conventional methods like shale shakers, mud cleaners, andcentrifuges can separate the drilling mud from the cuttings so that themud can be reused. The cleaned cuttings must then be disposed of,typically by discharging into the surrounding environment. Disposal isproblematic, though, because the cuttings are still contaminated by aresidual amount of hydrocarbons from the drilling fluid and hydrocarbonsfrom the formation. This problem is exacerbated on offshore drillingplatforms, where disposal of contaminated cuttings into the oceanenvironment can be hazardous to marine life.

Current regulations in certain oil-producing jurisdictions (e.g., theNorth Sea legislation OSPAR 2000/3) require that drill cuttings containless than 1% total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in order to be disposedon-site. Current on-site mechanical methods of mud and cuttingseparation reduce the oil content to 3-10% TPH. If the cuttings cannotbe treated to conform to the regulatory requirements of less than 1%TPH, they must be disposed of in environmentally-protective ways,typically by removing them from the drilling site for specializeddisposal. Disposal methods in accordance with such regulations can becostly and capital-intensive. There remains a need in the art,therefore, for an efficient method for reducing the TPH content of drillcuttings to allow their disposal off-shore and on-shore in conformitywith environmental protection regulations.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are systems for removing a hydrocarbon contaminant froma contaminated solid, comprising an environmentally benign extractantand an oleophilic absorber, wherein the environmentally benignextractant and the oleophilic absorber are separate components of thesystem. In embodiments, the contaminated solid comprises drillingcuttings. In embodiments, the environmentally benign extractant is abiodegradable material or a naturally-derived material. In embodiments,the oleophilic absorber comprises a substrate bearing an oleophiliccoating. In embodiments, the oleophilic absorber comprises an uncoatedoleophilic substance. In embodiments, oleophilic absorber comprises anoil-swellable oleophilic substance. In embodiments, the oleophilicabsorber comprises an oleophilic material selected from the groupconsisting of crumb rubber, modified crumb rubber, thermoplasticelastomers and polymers, and copolymers comprising monomers selectedfrom the group consisting of styrene, butadiene, isoprene, ethylene, andvinyl acetate, and a combination of any of thereof. In embodiments, theoleophilic absorber is less dense than water. In embodiments, theoleophilic absorber comprises a polymeric bead.

Also disclosed herein are methods for separating a hydrocarboncontaminant from a contaminated solid, the contaminated solid comprisinga solid substrate and the hydrocarbon contaminant, the method comprisingproviding an environmentally benign extractant, mixing theenvironmentally benign extractant with the contaminated solid to producea treated solid wherein the hydrocarbon contaminant is separable fromthe solid substrate, providing an oleophilic absorber capable ofextracting the hydrocarbon contaminant from the solid substrate, mixingthe oleophilic absorber with the treated solid to extract thehydrocarbon contaminant from the solid substrate onto the oleophilicabsorber, thereby forming a spent oleophilic absorber, wherein the spentoleophilic absorber comprises the hydrocarbon contaminant, andseparating the spent oleophilic absorber from the treated solid, therebyseparating the hydrocarbon contaminant from the solid substrate. Inembodiments, the contaminated solid comprises drilling cuttings. Inembodiments, the oleophilic absorber comprises an oleophilic material ona substrate surface. In embodiments, the oleophilic absorber comprisescoated beads, wherein the coated beads are coated with an oleophilicmaterial. In certain practices, the method further comprises separatingthe hydrocarbon contaminant from the spent oleophilic absorber. Incertain practices, the method further comprises recovering theenvironmentally benign extractant from the spent oleophilic absorber. Incertain practices, the method further comprises disposing of the spentoleophilic absorber.

Further disclosed herein are methods of treating drilling cuttingscontaminated with a hydrocarbon contaminant, comprising: Step (a),washing the drilling cuttings with an environmentally benign extractant,and Step (b), adding an oleophilic absorber to the drilling cuttingsafter Step (a), wherein the oleophilic absorber absorbs the hydrocarboncontaminant from the drilling cuttings. In certain practices, the methodfurther comprises Step (c), segregating the oleophilic absorber from thedrilling cuttings after Step (b) is carried out. In certain practices,the method further comprises Step (d), separating the hydrocarboncontaminant from the oleophilic absorber after Step (c). In certainpractices, the method further comprises disposing of the oleophilicabsorber after Step (c).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A. Removal of Hydrocarbon Contaminants from the Surface of SolidMaterials

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for removing hydrocarboncontaminants from the surface of solid materials by using abiodegradable extractant, an oleophilic absorber, or a combination ofthese two processes. As used herein, the term “hydrocarbon contaminants”refers to any hydrocarbon-based material whose removal from a solid isdesired for clean-up or remediation purposes. A hydrocarbon contaminantcan include materials such as natural or synthetic oils, fats, greasesor waxes, whether derived from animal, vegetable or mineral sources; inembodiments, hydrocarbon contaminants can include synthetic oils andgreases having hydrocarbon groups, such as organopolysiloxanes(silicones) and mixtures thereof. In embodiments, the hydrocarboncontaminant can comprise a substantially hydrocarbonaceous material suchas an oil or grease, for example, a natural or synthetic petroleumproduct, such as crude oil, heating oil, bunker oil, kerosene, diesel,gasoline, naptha, shale oil, coal oil, lubricating oil, paraffin,paraffin blends, internal olefins, solvents, waxes, lubricating greases,C₁₆-C₁₈ alkene blends, and combinations thereof. A hydrocarboncontaminant, in accordance with these systems and methods, coats,permeates, attaches to or otherwise resides upon the surface of a solidmaterial where its presence is undesirable.

A solid material that is contaminated with a hydrocarbon contaminant maybe a particulate material of any size, or a natural or artificialsurface, for example of a formed article or an architectural formation.In embodiments, the solid material can comprise insoluble organicmaterials, alone or combined with inorganic materials, such ascellulosic materials (sawdust, straw, bark, etc.) alone or incombination with inorganic materials (e.g., in the soil). Inembodiments, the solid material comprises an inorganic material such asrocks, gravel, dirt, soil, ash, sand, drill cuttings, and the like. Incertain embodiments, the solid material comprises particulate matter,sized, for example, in the millimeter range. Such particulate solidmaterial may be produced, for example, when drillings cuttings aresegregated by size on a shaker screen.

In an exemplary embodiment, drilling cuttings comprise the solidmaterial contaminated with a hydrocarbon contaminant, derived, forexample, from the oil-based mud (OBM) used for the drilling operation.Hydrocarbon contaminants found on drill cuttings can also include otherdrilling additives from the drilling process, along with hydrocarbonsderived from the geological formation or the well itself. In addition,the systems and methods disclosed herein can remove other fineparticulate components of oil-based drilling muds (e.g., clay solidfines) from the surfaces of drillings cuttings.

In embodiments, these systems and methods provide for an environmentallybenign extractant to be added to the hydrocarbon-contaminated solidmaterial, with the addition of an oleophilic absorber to sequester thehydrocarbon contaminant, thereby remediating the contaminated solid. Asused herein, the term “environmentally benign extractant” refers to arange of extracting agents that are biodegradable (i.e., subject todegradation under environmental conditions), biocompatible (non-toxicand non-bioaccumulating), and/or naturally-derived (derived from anatural animal, vegetable or mineral source). As used herein, the term“oleophilic absorber” comprises an oleophilic material that is either anoleophilic substance or that is a composite which comprises anoleophilic substance, said composite formed by depositing the oleophilicsubstance on a substrate surface, admixing the oleophilic substance witha substrate and/or chemical bonding of the oleophilic substance to asubstrate.

In embodiments, the environmentally benign extractants are added to thehydrocarbon-contaminated solids as a first step, followed by theintroduction of the oleophilic absorber. In embodiments, the two agents(extractant and absorber) can be added substantially simultaneously. Theoleophilic absorber, after use, can be disposed of in an environmentallyresponsible way. In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon contaminants canbe removed from the oleophilic absorber and reused or recycled.

Use of the environmentally benign extractants and oleophilic absorbentsas disclosed herein can be exemplified by reference to their use intreating the hydrocarbon-contaminated solid materials found in drillingcuttings. In embodiments, the systems and methods disclosed herein canbe applied to the cleaning of any hydrocarbon-coated particulate matterformed during oil and gas production however. The use of these systemsand methods for treating cuttings chips coated with hydrocarbons (e.g.,from oil-based drilling fluids and/or from the borehole) are describedin detail herein, but it would be understood by those of ordinary skillin the art that these systems and methods can be used for treatment ofvarious other hydrocarbon-coated particulate matter, such as thatproduced during well fracturing, oil and gas production, separation ofoil/water/solids/gas after recovery, accidental discharges, andtransportation/handling of the petroleum product.

B. Cuttings Clean-up

In embodiments, the combination of an environmentally benign extractantand an oleophilic absorber can reduce the TPH content of cuttingscontaminated with hydrocarbons (e.g., from oil-based drilling fluidsand/or from the borehole) to levels below the regulatory limit of 1%. Inembodiments, the oleophilic absorber used for these systems and methodscan be cleaned on-site and recycled, with about 10% of the originalabsorber material requiring disposal as waste. In embodiments, the wastematerial from the cleaning process can be burned on-site to generateenergy, or can be transported off-site for disposal.

1. Environmentally Benign Extractants

In embodiments, an environmentaly benign extractant in liquid form canbe used to reduce the viscosity of the oil-based drilling mud or otherhydrocarbon contaminant found on the surface of drilling cuttings. Whenthe viscosity of this coating layer is reduced, the removal process isfacilitated. An appropriately selected extractant, preferably having lowecotoxicity and a high flash point, can be used to solubilize the oilbase of the drilling mud to help it flow away from the surface of thecuttings. In embodiments, the environmentally benign extractant can be anatural product, or derived from natural products. Because the cuttingsurface is oil-wet, the cuttings may retain some of the extractant afterthe majority of the oil-based drilling mud is removed. The cuttings withresidual extractant can be treated by distillation or mechanicalseparation to separate residual extractant. Use of an extractant at afraction of the cuttings weight, for example 0.1 to 20% by weight, orpreferably 1 to 5% by weight, decreases the amount of residualextractant on the cuttings. Moreover, because the extractant isenvironmentally benign, on-site disposal of cuttings chips bearing theextractant can conform to regulations for hazardous waste disposal. Theextractant wash solution, containing extractant, dissolved hydrocarbonsand suspended fines, can then be burned on-site as fuel or transportedoff-site for disposal. Examples of environmentally benign extractantsinclude terpene substances such as pine oil or d-limonene, isoparaffins,alpha olefins, internal olefins, esters like ethyl lactate, methylsoyate and biodiesel, and the like.

2. Oleophilic Absorbers

An oleophilic absorber can be used to remove hydrocarbon contaminants(e.g., from oil-based drilling fluids and/or from the borehole) from thesurface of drillings cuttings. As described, an oleophilic absorber, forexample, contains an oleophilic material that is either an oleophilicsubstance, or that is a composite formed by the deposition of anoleophilic substance on a substrate surface. The oleophilic absorber canabsorb the hydrocarbons from the cuttings chips, leaving the cuttings ina clean state. Advantageously, an oleophilic absorber can be anoil-swellable oleophilic substance, for example, certain elastomers,styrene/butadiene resin, styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymer, andstyrene ethylene butadiene copolymer and a combination of any ofthereof, An oil-swellable oleophilic substance can be a material thathas the ability to expand in volume upon absorption of hydrocarbons. Inembodiments, the swellable material can expand in volume by 1 to 100%upon absorption of hydrocarbons. In embodiments, the oleophilic absorbercan be less dense than water, so that it can float on water or brine foreasy separation from the dense cleaned cuttings. In embodiments, thespent oleophilic absorber can be burned, cleaned and reused, or properlydisposed of. As examples, oleophilic absorbers can include materialssuch as thermoplastic polymers (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene,styrene/butadiene, styrene/butadiene/styrene, polyisoprene, polyethyleneterephthalate, polystyrene, ABS, SAN, EVA), crumb rubber, modified crumbrubber, devulcanized crumb rubber, hydrophobic starches, hydrophobiccellulosic materials, waxes (e.g., paraffin, beeswax, microcrystallinewax, etc.), zein, and the like. The oleophilic absorber should be of asize and shape that it delivers the oleophilic material to thehydrocarbon-coated cuttings chips, without getting trapped within thehydrocarbon coating layer itself. Oleophilic absorbers can be of anysize or shape that conforms to this requirement, for example in therange of 0.1 to 10 millimeters (mm) diameter. Advantageously, oleophilicabsorbers can be formed as beads such as polypropylene, polyethylene,polyisoprene, polystyrene, polybutadiene, and copolymers thereof.

In embodiments, the absorber can comprise a substrate with an oleophiliccoating. The substrate can be, for example, glass beads or organicbiomass having a hollow or porous configuration. The biomass substratecan be derived from materials such as bagasse, nut shells, andagricultural residue. The coating can be a polymer such as chitosan orpolyvinylacetate, polystyrene, a silane, or styrene butadiene resin.Specific coatings can be selected for attachment to a particularsubstrate, and coatings can be selected having affinity for a particularset of hydrocarbons to be absorbed. In embodiments, the coating can becrosslinked so that it is not desorbed during its use in the cuttingscleaning process.

In embodiments, substrates for oleophilic absorbers can be formed frominorganic or organic materials or any mixture thereof. In embodiments,inorganic materials can include vitreous materials such as glass orceramics.

In embodiments, organic substrates can include carbonaceous materialssuch as carbon black, graphite, carbon fibers, activated carbon,lignite, carbon microparticles, and carbon nanoparticles, for examplecarbon nanotubes. Organic substrates can include materials such asstarch, modified starch, nut shells, cellulose, and the like. Organicsubstrates can be formed in any shape, including solid bodies likebeads, hollow bodies like spheres, fibers, or any other suitable shape.

In embodiments, organic substrates can include plastic materials madefrom thermoset or thermoplastic resins. Plastic materials can be formedfrom a variety of polymers. A polymer useful as a plastic material maybe a homopolymer or a copolymer. Copolymers can include blockcopolymers, graft copolymers, and interpolymers. In embodiments,suitable plastics may include, for example, addition polymers (e.g.,polymers of ethylenically unsaturated monomers), polyesters,polyurethanes, aramid resins, acetal resins, formaldehyde resins, andthe like. Additional polymers can include, for example, polyolefins,polystyrene, and vinyl polymers. Polyolefins can include, inembodiments, polymers prepared from C₂-C₁₀ olefin monomers, e.g.,ethylene, propylene, butylene, dicyclopentadiene, and the like. Inembodiments, poly(vinyl chloride) polymers, acrylonitrile polymers, andthe like can be used. In embodiments, useful polymers for the formationof oleophilic substrates may be formed by condensation reaction of apolyhydric compound (e.g., an alkylene glycol, a polyether alcohol, orthe like) with one or more polycarboxylic acids. Polyethyleneterephthalate is an example of a suitable polyester resin. Polyurethaneresins can include, e.g., polyether polyurethanes and polyesterpolyurethanes. Plastics may also be obtained for these uses from wasteplastic, such as post-consumer waste including plastic bags, containers,bottles made of high density polyethylene, polyethylene grocery storebags, and the like.

In embodiments, organic substrates can comprise materials such ascellulosic and lignocellulosic materials. Cellulose or papermill sludgecan be used as a substrate, to be coated with a suitable oleophilicmaterial. Organic substrates can be derived from various forms oforganic waste, including biomass and including particulate matter frompost-consumer waste items such as old tires and carpeting materials.

In embodiments, organic substrates can be formed from materials ofanimal or vegetable origin. For example, animal sources for substratescan include materials from any part of a vertebrate or invertebrateanimal, fish, bird, or insect. Such materials typically compriseproteins, e.g., animal fur, animal hair, animal hoofs, and the like.Animal sources can include any part of the animal's body, as might beproduced as a waste product from animal husbandry, farming, meatproduction, fish production or the like, e.g., catgut, sinew, hoofs,cartilaginous products, etc. Animal sources can include the dried salivaor other excretions of insects or their cocoons, e.g., silk obtainedfrom silkworm cocoons or spider's silk. Animal sources can be derivedfrom feathers of birds or scales of fish.

As another example, vegetable sources for substrates can includematerials that are predominately cellulosic, e.g., derived from cotton,jute, flax, hemp, sisal, ramie, and the like. Vegetable sources can bederived from seeds or seed cases, such as cotton or kapok, or from nutsor nutshells. Vegetable sources can include the waste materials fromagriculture, such as corn stalks, stalks from grain, hay, straw, orsugar cane (e.g., bagasse). Vegetable sources can include leaves, suchas sisal, agave, deciduous leaves from trees, shrubs and the like,leaves or needles from coniferous plants, and leaves from grasses.Vegetable sources can include fibers derived from the skin or bastsurrounding the stem of a plant, such as flax, jute, kenaf, hemp, ramie,rattan, soybean husks, vines or banana plants. Vegetable sources caninclude fruits of plants or seeds, such as coconuts, peach pits, mangoseeds, and the like. Vegetable sources can include the stalks or stemsof a plant, such as wheat, rice, barley, bamboo, and grasses. Vegetablesources can include wood, wood processing products such as sawdust, andwood, and wood byproducts such as lignin.

3. Combined Processes

In embodiments, a system or method can be designed combining the use ofthe environmentally benign extractant and the oleophilic absorber. In atwo-component system, less environmentally benign extractant may be usedfor reducing the viscosity of the hydrocarbon contaminants (e.g., fromoil-based drilling fluids and/or from the borehole) on the surface ofthe drillings cuttings. For example, 1 to 5% of total cuttings weight inenvironmentally benign extractant can be added to make the hydrocarboncontaminant coating the cuttings surface sufficiently fluid that it canbe absorbed by an oleophilic absorber. In embodiments, the clay fineswithin the oil-based mud can also adhere to the solid absorber surfaceas the hydrocarbon contaminants are transferred from the cutting surfaceto the surface of the absorber. A final separation of the cleanedcuttings chips and the oil-bearing absorbers can be achieved by means ofdensity separation, such as flotation in brine solution, by fluidizedbed separation, by size classification, by forced air separation, or byany other means familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art.Hydrocarbon-bearing absorbers can be cleaned for re-use by washing, forexample in a base-oil-compatible solvent, with the resulting wash fluidbeing burned on-site, transported off-site, distilled and recycled, orotherwise disposed of. The recovered hydrocarbon contaminant (e.g., baseoil from cuttings) may be reused if it is of sufficient purity, forexample to form oil-based muds.

EXAMPLES

The following materials were used in the Examples below:

-   Oil-based mud coated cuttings, representative of cuttings from Gulf    of Mexico offshore oil drilling;-   d-limonene, Fluka Chemicals (St. Louis, Mo.);-   Tergitol 15-S-7 Surfactant, Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich.);-   Potassium Chloride, Sigma Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.);-   Styrene Ethylene Butylene Copolymer Beads, Kraton Polymers, LLC    (Belpre, Ohio);-   Polyisoprene Beads, Kraton Polymers, LLC (Belpre, Ohio);-   Poly(styrene-co-butadiene) (4% butadiene) Beads, Sigma Aldrich (St.    Louis, Mo.);-   Polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene (22% styrene)    Beads, Sigma Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.);-   Polystyrene-block-polybutadiene (30% styrene) Beads, Sigma Aldrich    (St. Louis, Mo.);-   Isomerized Olefin Base Oil, Chevron;-   Cellulose Acetate Cigarette Filters, Eastman Chemical Company    (Kingsport, Tenn.);-   Ground Rice Hulls, Rice Hull Specialty Products (Stuttgart, Ark.);-   Crumb Rubber, International Recycled Products LLC (Wixom, Mich.);-   Styrene-butadiene block copolymer (28% styrene), Scientific Polymer    Products (Ontario, N.Y.);-   Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (28% vinyl acetate), TDL Plastics (Corpus    Christi, Tex.);-   Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), Sigma-Aldrich (St. Louis,    Mo.); and-   Bagasse (from a sugar processing plant).

Example 1

A sample of oil-based mud coated cuttings (“OBM cuttings”) was placed ina Retort Distillation Apparatus (OFI Testing Equipment INC, Houston TX)(“retort”) and heated to 700 degrees Fahrenheit separating the sampleinto oil, water and solid fractions. The composition of the sample was3.6% oil, 85.9% solids and remainder water, by weight. The total weightof oil over weight of oil plus solids or total percentage hydrocarbon(“TPH”) was 4.0%.

Example 2

A 75 gram (gm) sample of OBM cuttings was placed in a glass jar with 150grams of 1% (by weight) Tergitol 15-S-7 (commercially availablesurfactant) aqueous solution. The jar was capped and shaken vigorouslyfor five minutes, suspending a small portion of the solids into thewater. The sample jar was then left for ten minutes to settle. The waterlayer was decanted off the top of the solids, which were then collectedand heated in the retort. The TPH was calculated at 3.7%.

Example 3

A 75 gm sample of OBM cuttings was placed in a jar with a 100 gramsample of neat d-limonene. The jar was capped and shaken for fiveminutes, then left to settle for ten minutes. The supernatant d-limonenesolution was opaque, containing some of the mineral fines from thesurface of the OBM cuttings. The settled dark-grey cuttings chips wererecovered from the bottom of the jar and heated in the retort. The TPHwas measured at 11.25%, indicating the oil fraction to contain both oilfrom the OBM cuttings and solvent from the d-limonene wash. By measuringthe relative densities of the OBM cuttings oil and the d-limonene, itwas determined that the TPH measurement could be broken down into 10.75%d-limonene and 0.5% base oil on the cuttings. Solvent recovery from thewashed cuttings can be carried out by mechanical or thermal means,leaving the residual 0.5% of base oil to be disposed of.

Example 4

Six separate samples of OBM cuttings, each weighing 50 gms, were mixedwith six different samples of untreated polymer beads of 2-5 mmdiameter: polystyrene ethylene butylene copolymer (“PEBc”), polyisoprene(“PI”), poly(styrene-co-butadiene) (“PSB”),Polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene (“PSPI”), andPolystyrene-block-polybutadiene (“PSPB”). Each sample was combined, indry form, in a jar and shaken for five minutes to ensure adequateexposure of the OBM cutting surface to the bead surface. Followingmixing, a 15% by weight aqueous solution of potassium chloride was addedto the jar to float the polymer beads off the cuttings. The polymerbeads and water layers were decanted and the residual cuttings solid wascollected and measured for composition in the retort. The following TPHmeasurements were obtained when the cuttings solid from each beadtreatment was analyzed: treatments of dry polymer PEBc, PI and PSBproduced the following TPH results: 2.4% (PEBc), 2.3% (PI), 3.8% (PSB),2.8% (PSPI), and 2.7% (PSPB) respectively.

Example 5

A sample of 25 gms of untreated PEBc beads of 2 to 5 mm diameter wascombined with 1 gram of d-limonene in a jar and shaken for one minute. A50 gm sample of OBM cuttings was then mixed with the d-limonene-treadedPEBc beads in a jar and shaken for five minutes to ensure adequateexposure of the OBM cutting surface to the bead surface. Followingmixing, a 15% (by weight) aqueous solution of potassium chloride wasadded to the jar to float the polymer beads off the cuttings. Thepolymer beads and water layers were decanted and the residual cuttingssolid was collected and measure for composition in the retort. The TPHfor this sample was 2.9%.

Example 6

Four 50 gm samples of OBM cuttings were combined in individual jars withthe following amounts of d-limonene: 0.5 grams, 1 gram, 2 grams, and 5grams. Each sample was shaken for one minute to ensure proper dispersionof the d-limonene throughout the cuttings sample. 25 gms of PEBc beadsof 2-5 mm diameter were added to each jar, and each jar was shaken foran additional five minutes to ensure adequate exposure of the OBMcutting surface to the bead surface. Following mixing, a 15% by weightaqueous solution of potassium chloride was added to the jar to float thepolymer beads off the cuttings. The polymer beads and water layers weredecanted and the residual cuttings solid was collected and measured forcomposition in the retort. The TPH for these samples were: 2.6%, 1.3%,1.5%, and 1.7% respectively.

Example 7

Seven separate samples of OBM cuttings, each 50 gms, were combined inindividual jars with 1 gm of d-limonene per jar. Each jar was thenshaken for one minute to ensure proper dispersion of the d-limonenethroughout the cuttings sample. 25 grams of PEBc beads of 2 to 5 mmdiameter were added to each jar and each were shaken for an additionaltwo and half or five minutes. Then selected samples were allowed to restfor additional periods of time before separating the polymer beads fromthe cuttings, according to the following schedule:

-   Sample 1. 2.5 minute shake, no rest-   Sample 2. 5 minute shake, no rest-   Sample 3. 5 minute shake, 10 minute rest-   Sample 4. 5 minute shake, 25 minute rest-   Sample 5. 5 minute shake, 55 minute rest-   Sample 6. 5 minute shake, 24 hour rest-   Sample 7. 5 minute shake, 96 hour rest

To separate the polymer beads from the cuttings, a 15% by weight aqueoussolution of potassium chloride was added to each jar to float and easilyremove the polymer beads off of the cuttings. The polymer beads andwater layers were decanted and the residual cuttings solid was collectedand measured for composition in the retort. The TPH for these sampleswere: 2.1%, 1.3%, 2.7%, 1.5%, 1.1%, 1.5%, and 0.6%, respectively.

Example 8

Approximately 7 gms of cellulose acetate fibers (sourced from cigarettefilter plug material) were cut into pieces about ¼″ in length. A sampleof OBM cuttings, 50 gms, was combined in a jar with 1 gm of base oil.The jar was shaken by hand for approximately 30 seconds. The celluloseacetate fibers were added to the jar and the jar was shaken by hand forapproximately 5 minutes. The contents of the jar were then emptied ontoa watch glass and the fibers were removed. The remaining cuttings werecollected and measured for composition in the retort. The TPH for thissample was 2.9%.

Example 9

Two samples of OBM cuttings, 50 gms, were combined in individual jarswith 1 gm base oil and shaken for 1 minute. Bagasse and ground bagasse(achieved by processing bagasse for approximately 45 seconds in a highspeed blender) samples, approximately 9 gms each were mixed with the OBMcuttings samples and shaken for 5 minutes. The bagasse was then removedfrom the cuttings via forced air separation. The remaining cuttings werecollected and measured for composition in the retort. The TPH for thesesamples were 3.5% and 3.5% respectively.

Example 10

Two samples of OBM cuttings, 50 gms, were combined in individual jarswith 1 gm base oil and shaken for 1 minute. Ground rice hull (16/80mesh) samples, unmodified and modified with poly-DADMAC, were added tothe cuttings in the amount of 15 gms and 8 gms respectively. Themixtures were shaken for 5 minutes. The rice hulls were removed from thecuttings via forced air separation and the remaining cuttings collectedand measured for composition in the retort. Treatments of unmodifiedrice hulls and modified rice hulls produced the following TPH for thesesamples were 4.6% and 3.4% respectively.

Example 11

Four samples of OBM cuttings, 50 gms, were combined in individual jarswith 1 gm base oil, shaken for 1 minute and then mixed with fourdifferent polymeric beads/particles: polystyrene ethylene butylenecopolymer (“PEBc”), polystyrene butadiene ABA block copolymer (“PSBS”),crumb rubber (“CR”), and polyethylene vinyl acetate (“PEVA”). Eachsample was shaken for 5 minutes and poured into an 18% KCl brine toseparate the cuttings from the polymer. The polymer particles/beads andwater were decanted off and the cuttings were collected and measured forcomposition in the retort. Treatments of PEBc, PSBS, CR and PEVAproduced the following TPH results: 2.0%, 1.9%, 3.0% and 3.3%respectively.

Example 12

Six separate samples of OBM cuttings, each weighing 50 gms, were mixedwith 1 gm of base oil and 12.5 gm samples of untreated PEBc beads andallowed to rest for a time of 6, 18, or 24 hours at a temperature of 40°C. or 60° C. Mixture of cuttings, base oil and PEBc beads were shaken byhand for 5 minutes and then placed in an oven at either 40° C. or 60° C.to rest for an additional period of time before separating the polymerbeads from the cuttings, according to the following schedule:

Sample 1: 6 hours at 40° C.

Sample 2: 18 hours at 40° C.

Sample 3: 24 hours at 40° C.

Sample 4: 6 hours at 60° C.

Sample 5: 18 hours at 60° C.

Sample 6: 24 hours at 60° C.

To separate the polymer beads from the cuttings, a 15% by weight aqueoussolution of potassium chloride was added to each jar to float and easilyremove the polymer beads off of the cuttings. The polymer beads andwater layers were decanted and the residual cuttings solid was collectedand measured for composition in the retort. The TPH for these sampleswere: 1.5%, 0.9%, 0.6%, 1.6%, 0.9%, and 0.3% respectively.

EQUIVALENTS

While specific embodiments of the subject invention have been discussed,the above specification is illustrative and not restrictive. Manyvariations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in theart upon review of this specification. Unless otherwise indicated, allnumbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, andso forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood asbeing modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unlessindicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein areapproximations that can vary depending upon the desired propertiessought to be obtained by the present invention.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the scope of the inventionencompassed by the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A system for removing a hydrocarbon contaminant froma contaminated solid, comprising an environmentally benign extractantand an oleophilic absorber, wherein the environmentally benignextractant and the oleophilic absorber are separate components of thesystem.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the contaminated solidcomprises drilling cuttings.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein theenvironmentally benign extractant is a biodegradable material.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the environmentally benign extractant is anaturally-derived material.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein theoleophilic absorber comprises a substrate bearing an oleophilic coating.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the oleophilic absorber comprises anuncoated oleophilic substance.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein theoleophilic absorber comprises an oil-swellable oleophilic substance. 8.The system of claim 1, wherein the oleophilic absorber comprises anoleophilic material selected from the group consisting of crumb rubber,modified crumb rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, and polymers andcopolymers of styrene, butadiene, isoprene, ethylene, and vinyl acetate.9. The system of claim 1, wherein the oleophilic absorber is less densethan water.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the oleophilic absorbercomprises a polymeric bead.
 11. A method for separating a hydrocarboncontaminant from a contaminated solid, the contaminated solid comprisinga solid substrate and the hydrocarbon contaminant, the methodcomprising: providing an environmentally benign extractant, mixing theenvironmentally benign extractant with the contaminated solid to producea treated solid wherein the hydrocarbon contaminant is separable fromthe solid substrate, providing an oleophilic absorber capable ofextracting the hydrocarbon contaminant from the solid substrate, mixingthe oleophilic absorber with the treated solid to extract thehydrocarbon contaminant from the solid substrate onto the oleophilicabsorber, thereby forming a spent oleophilic absorber, wherein the spentoleophilic absorber comprises the hydrocarbon contaminant, andseparating the spent oleophilic absorber from the treated solid, therebyseparating the hydrocarbon contaminant from the solid substrate.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the contaminated solid comprises drillingcuttings.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the oleophilic absorbercomprises an oleophilic material on a substrate surface.
 14. The methodof claim 11, wherein the oleophilic absorber comprises coated beads, andwherein the coated beads are coated with an oleophilic material.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising separating the hydrocarboncontaminant from the spent oleophilic absorber.
 16. The method of claim11, further comprising recovering the environmentally benign extractantfrom the spent oleophilic absorber.
 17. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising disposing of the spent oleophilic absorber.
 18. A method oftreating drilling cuttings contaminated with a hydrocarbon contaminant,comprising: (a) washing the drilling cuttings with an environmentallybenign extractant and (b) adding an oleophilic absorber to the drillingcuttings after Step (a), wherein the oleophilic absorber absorbs thehydrocarbon contaminant from the drilling cuttings.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising: (c) the step of segregating the oleophilicabsorber from the drilling cuttings after Step (b).
 20. The method ofclaim 19, further comprising: (d) the step of separating the hydrocarboncontaminant from the oleophilic absorber after Step (c).
 21. The methodof claim 19, further comprising disposing of the oleophilic absorberafter Step (c).